Round 11
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Richmond Tigers
May 31st (Friday 7.50pm) Marvel Stadium
The round starts at Marvel Stadium for a big game for the Kangaroos. They have appointed a new coach in Reece Shaw who comes with a good coaching CV. Ex Swans player who has a good football brain and will look to bring in a running game to this young Kangaroos side. The Tigers are tracking along well and are starting to get some of their stars back. Their side is bolstered by the return of Trent Cotchin but have dropped Daniel Rioli who found it tough last week in the wet conditions at the MCG. Kangaroos players will want to show their new coach that they are worthy of a spot on his list. I am tipping a Tigers win but it will be a tough game for the Tigers as the Kangas have a point to prove.
H2H
Tigers have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Kangaroos.
Best Bet
Tigers -16.5 $1.90
Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers
June 1st (Saturday 1.45pm) MCG
The Dockers won a thriller last week vs the Lions and If they want to play finals football they need to beat a top 4 side, who better to beat then the Pies at the MCG. The Pies on the other hand welcome back two stars in Moore and De Goey. They had a hard fought victory last week vs the Swans at the SCG it came at a cost though with the Pies losing Daniel Wells who hurt his knee. The Dockers came from behind to beat Lions with Michael Walters kicking a behind in the last 10 seconds. They need to bring the heat early against the Pies, It is a tough ask going to the MCG to face the Pies for any side so the Dockers need to be on their A game.
H2H
Collingwood have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Freo.
Best Bet
Freo +33.5 $1.90
GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns
May 25th (Saturday 1.45pm) Giants Stadium
The Giants broke their MCG hoodoo last weekend vs the Demons and I believe that is the game to take this side to the next level. The Giants top tier players are unstoppable and look fit and healthy. Jeremy Cameron is leading the Coleman and looks to have his eyes set on a bag of goals this weekend vs an under-manned Suns side. The Suns on the other hand pushed a top 4 side all the way again with a tough loss to the Cats last weekend on the Gold Coast. They are pushing sides all the way but just missing that added polish. I think it will be a Giants smashing this weekend but if the Suns are any chance they need to take their opportunities. Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene will look to open the Suns younger mids and set up the Giants forwards with their polish. Giants by a lot this weekend.
H2H
Giants have won the past 5 games vs the Suns.
Best Bet
Giants -50.5 $1.90
Geelong Cats vs Sydney Swans
June 1st (Saturday 4.35pm) GMHBA
The Cats are flying and are flag favourites they lose Gary Ablett this weekend due to a suspension but welcome back Patrick Dangerfield not a bad in for the Cats. The Swans pushed the Pies all the way last weekend and were unlucky to lose the game. The Swans lose Josh Kennendy who adds a lot of midfield grunt to the young Swans midfield. It is a big weekend for Lance Franklin looked like opening the game up last weekend but was held to two goals by Roughead. If the Swans are to win they need Buddy to fire up, the younger players need to feed off Buddy’s confidence. Daniel Menzel is in for the first game of his Swans career and it is against his old side. The Cats will win this game and I think it will be quite easy for the Cats.
H2H
Swans have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Cats
Best Bet
Swans +32.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn Hawks
June 1st (Saturday 7.25pm) Gabba
Match of the round on a Saturday night at the Gabba. Luke Hodge vs his old side and this looks like a cracker. Hawks had a nice win last weekend in Tassie vs the Power and the Lions had victory snatched from them in the last minute of the game vs the Dockers. The Lions controlled most of the game but just lost their heads in the last 5 minutes and Chris Fagan will want a response from his troops. The Hawks need to win this game to keep them in the hunt for a top 8 finish and who else better to guide them there then Alastair Clarkson will love nothing more then beating his old assistant coach. Isaac Smith is back for the Hawks and the Lions have made 4 changes most notably dropping Josh Walker. Lions have more at stake and with the home ground advantage they will win this game but it will be close.
H2H
Hawks have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Lions
Best Bet
Lions -6.5 $1.90
Melbourne Demons vs Adelaide Crows
June 1st (Saturday 7.10pm) TIO Stadium
Football returns to NT and this game looks a cracker. Both teams coming off a loss last weekend and will be hungry to win this game. This fixture has always played into the team that is willing to compete for longer as the conditions suit a more fitter side. The Crows let slip a 33 point lead last weekend against the Eagles and Don Pyke was furious after the game. He has recalled Bryce Gibbs, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch who are very good ins and can kick a winning score for the Crows. The Demons on the other hand were hopeless last weekend vs the Giants are will need a lot of luck if they are to win this game. I honestly don’t know what is wrong with the Demons this year many tipped them as a top 4 side but at the moment they look like a bottom 4 side. Bonus for the Demons they welcome back Hibbard. Crows by 20
H2H
Demons have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Crows
Best Bet
Crows -6.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs Port Adelaide Power
June 2nd (Sunday 12.20pm) China
AFL heads to CHINA! Fantastic that the AFL can be played in another country and from all reports the game was a huge success last year. The Chinese have been blessed with a game that looks like a tight contest. The Power last weekend were smashed in the contested part of the game vs the Hawks and will want to respond to that. They lose Tom Rockliff to a hamstring injury but gain ruckmen Scott Lycett who is over his corked thigh. The Saints last weekend played ok football against the Blues but in patches looked electric and moving the ball from one end of the ground to the other. If they are to win this weekend they need their midfield to get on top early against a strong Power midfield. Tipping a tight contest but the experience of the Power to get them over the line.
H2H
Power have won the last 5 games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Power 1-39 $2.15
Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues
June 2nd (Sunday 3.20pm) MCG
The Bombers have been blasted in the media all week for their performance last weekend against the Tigers they will want to respond for their coach John Worsfold. The Blues have had a shocking week with their player Dale Thomas dropped for being drunk two days before their game against the Saints on the Sunday. The Bombers have lost Shiel and Stringer but have added the electric Irving Mosquito who will make his debut and boy is everyone excited. Blues have dropped Thomas and have lost Simpson who is injured. The weather is meant to be raining sideways on Sunday for this game which will play into the Bombers hands as they have bigger bodies then the Blues. I am tipping a close game but the Bombers experience will get them over the line against the Blues side that is still young and inexperienced.
H2H
Carlton have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Bombers -16.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs
June 2nd (Sunday 4.20pm) Optus Stadium
Round 11 ends in the West for a game that looks to be a game the Bulldogs will struggle in. The Eagles had a come from behind win last weekend vs the Crows and that could be the spark they need to set up their season. Everyone in the media has criticised the Eagles for having a hangover but last weekend game showed this team is still a threat. The Bulldogs put in a spirited performance last weekend vs the Kangaroos but fell short at the final hurdle. The Eagles welcome back Lewis Jetta who missed last weekend's game through suspension. The Dogs have made several changes but nothing confirmed with it being a Sunday game. The Eagles will love being back at their home ground and will want to win this game well to increase their percentage.
H2H
Eagles have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Bulldogs
Best Bet
Eagles 40+ $2.63
